21 JANUARY 2010 SUVA (DINFO/PACNEWS) ----- The Tuvaluan Government is ready to open its arms to Fiji through trade with Rotuma.

Those were the words of Tuvalu's Deputy High Commissioner to Fiji Uale Taleni when asked if Tuvalu was prepared to trade via Rotuma.

Mr Taleni said they were awaiting final details before the two island nations can begin a closer working relationship.

“We are ready and are only awaiting word from the Fiji Government on when to start,” Mr Taleni said.

Since Tuvalu is an atoll, there is insufficient land to cultivate and this gives Fiji farmers another market to tap on.

“There is not much good soil on Tuvalu and we want to start trade with root crops from Fiji,” Mr Taleni said.

“We want to start importing the three root crops that Fijians have in abundance here.”

“We want to import dalo (taro), cassava and sweet potatoes (kumala) that our Fijian farmers are so good in planting.”

Currently Fiji farmers sell their produce locally and also export to the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand and Canada….PNS (ENDS)